Physopto

Just packed in for the night at 2350. There was a persistent cloud that would not shift from around the Polaris spot all night long. So as yet still not aligned.😧 Never mind try again tomorrow. Derek

Cracking shot Dave. Mike is right always worthwhile for a shot like that. Derek

Too technical for a moon dodger ! 🤣 Derek

This place is magic, just shows what can be seen even on a not so great night. Got to love it! Derek

The wind is dropping a bit now, not much but a welcome drop anyway. There may be a spell of clear tonight as well. BBC weather just says cloud, but others give us some small hope. Derek

That's true. Passed a couple on the way here on Saturday. They are being a bit more sneaky as well now. They are supposed to be yellow and black striped. Well they were, buts a dull shade of dirty yellow to blend in with the background in a lay-by. Derek

Some of us like looking at forecasts, even if only to be proven wrong when the sky clears ! 😱 Nice day at present and the forecasts show promise......... We live in hope! Derek

Nope, Mike was away in long before me. I was out untill midnight. I was trying to get a bit of kit working for several hours. By just after 2200 hours I had found the fault, but by then it was too late as it clouded out. Had a cuppa, went over to chat at a distance to Damian untill close to midnight. We saw Mike over at his static out a few times pottering about. I waited a bit longer until around half midnight but decided by then I was too tired and crashed out. Woke up at around 4 saw brilliant clear night sky but was to warm besides my back was sore from lifting so back to sleep. I got a few thing done, but need to get properly aligned asap now. It is a year since I had the gear in use so a few checks were necessary. It is a strange Star Camp as you cannot just wander around willy nilly as normal chatting to everyone. That is why Mike thought we had all gone to bed early, just no one constantly moving around as normal. Derek

Oh God.... Irish stew.............. 😱🤣 Derek

Ok Ok, enough with the SAILOR rubbish. Seaweed Humph!!!😱 Derek

What's a sailer ?? I know what a sailor is but......🤣 Trust you to mention things blowing over, yer chancing fate! I think the wind is about at its worst at present, hopefully anyway. Derek

Hi Peter, We are sending the midges around to Mike's static. Don't tell him I said that 😉 Yes going to be a bit of a pain this expected partial lockdown. Having said that, we don't get out much now anyway. Best keeping to ourselves until a hoped for vaccine arrives, (if ever). Not even the weather to fly a drone. If it clears up a bit I may try later on this week. Derek

Well just rained during the night. So wet at present, but the wind will dry it out a bit. The field is in good condition generally. Just not have to drive on and off it all the time or it will get very bad in the entrance area. Just use common sense when here and it will be OK. Derek

Dumb question 🤣. Mike is right 🌧️🌪️

The wind is blowing a bit and predicted to get worse for the next few hours. I use Windy.com which uses several different predictive engines. ECMWF, GFS, Metroblue, ICON and AROME. The BBC weather app is very rarely correct, here at least. Drumroamin has a weather subset all of its own it seems. At present there are 4 of us here. Me and Annette, Mike in the next static, Jim and Dawn 70 metres away in the field and Dave and Liz even further away down the field. Damian due in an hour or two, he will be in his usual spot over 30 metres away from the nearest attendees. With the present spacing we could probably do with more airtime for the phones !! At least we can get within shouting distance. Sign of the times when you go some place just so you can shout at people. 🤣 I was listening to the Chief Medical and Scientific Officers etc., earlier on and the picture they show is not inspiring at all ! PM due to speak this afternoon, so we will find out the actual details then. We brought everything we need so as not to interact with anyone here. So in effect in isolation. If the weather plays ball, it will be worth it. Keep safe everyone. Derek

Well I will join everyone else and wish you well on the forum. Loads of knowledge about. Someone nearly always can answer just about any question. Derek

Thanks Andy. Yes can be a pain. Worst for me was some years ago when at Kielder. Forgot my counterweights for the Mount. As you say nice round trip drive, for me only 4 hours! The fun of imaging or for that matter astronomy in general. 🙂 I have not seen Countryfile but Windy.com shows some changes to what has been forecasted over the last few days. Looking promising, but far too early to be sure. Crossed fingers. Keep well both of you. Derek

Well been a really nice day so far. Burning hot earlier on, bright sunshine and fairly clear skies. Hoping tonight has some clear spells. Took all day to get a new computer to talk to the control gear for the scope. Seems to be OK now. Oh the fun of imaging Eh! On another subject altogether. I see Adrian is following the goings on. So let's keep him up to date as much as possible. Hope you are able to get to the next Star Camp Adrian. Derek

Yes last one was OK but this one not so good. Mind you nothing like a real cold so a lot happier today. Long drive and all the transporting gear back and forth between house car and static van. Plus moving a caravan back and forth in a tight space before setting off. You get a bit fed up, I'm being polite there. 🤣 Derek

Very bright and sunny morning. I was too tired last night to do anything so off to bed early. Think the Flu jab had something to do with that. Never mind Tuesday night at present is looking promising. So setting up today. I think those out last night had some really good clear views. Derek

Aye, the secret hand shake you know........... 🏕️🔭🏕️ 🤣

On site and weather is looking good at present. Ground a bit wet at the entrance, so some care needed to avoid making it worse. Jim and Dawn here also Dave and Liz. It is their first time here so hope they enjoy the skies tonight. Derek

Hmmmmmm ! No famine there then 😂

By gumm, you are a Ripe Bunch !!! As soon as someone tries to look on the bright side you shoot him down😭 Try being happy, it is infectious you know 😃 On my way over to the Camp in the morning. Derek

Well, glad glad to see we are getting into the spirit of a good Star Camp at last 😃 But dissapointing for some of those who cannot attend. Apparently here in the North East area the rules may be changing for the worse around the weekend! I just hope to be able to welcome you all in person. So looking on the bright side, see you all there 😷 Derek